Cork City -v- Dundalk

CORK CITY

After a horrible start to the 2012 league campaign, in which they earned just two points from their opening six games, Cork City enter the weekend on the back of a mini revival, having claimed two wins from their last three fixtures.

A 6-0 win over Monaghan United three weeks ago went a long way to restoring some pride and confidence on Leeside, while last weekend’s 2-1 win away to Shelbourne could prove a key result if, as expected, the two sides end up in the same vacinity of the league table come the end of the season.

Tommy Dunne may be without eight first team players for the visit of Dundalk on Friday night. Defenders Stephen Mulcahy, Neal Horgan and Kevin Murray are all out, along with striker Jamie Murphy who is side-lined with an ankle injury. He also has doubts over midfielders Shane Duggan, John Dunleavy and Shane O’Connor, while striker Tadhg Purcell will struggle to be fit having gone down with a bout of flu.

Anticipating the arrival of the Lilywhites, Dunne spoke to CorkCityFC.net and urged caution to those tempted to write off the chances of Sean McCaffrey’s young side.

“Dundalk have had a similar start to ourselves, with some good results and some not so good results so far this season. Although they lost last week, any team that goes to the Brandywell and claims a win has to be respected. They do have a young side, but they are game and they are fit.”

DUNDALK

Dundalk travel to Turner’s Cross with a narrow one point lead over their hosts in the 2012 Premier Division table. So far Sean McCaffrey’s side have gathered two wins and three draws from their nine league games, but a quick glance at their results so far indicates their problem area. Dundalk have scored in only two league games to date, netting twice against both UCD and Derry City.

Scoreless draws against Monaghan, Drogheda and Shelbourne have added three points to the Lilywhite’s total but an impressive win away to Derry City two weeks ago was followed up by a disappointing home defeat to Bohemians last weekend.

Speaking after the Bohemians game, McCaffrey labelled his side’s display a “shocking performance”. “We were just so flat. There was no bite, no energy, no appetite for it. We were second to everything, we were standing off, we were defending too deep, we weren't supporting the front men - just an awful performance.”

For Friday's game McCaffrey will be without the services of experienced defenders Liam Burns and Derek Foaran, while Luke Danville will also miss out. Stephen McDonnell and Michael Rafter are also doubtful, while Chris Shields is suspended.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

MATCH STATS

Despite struggling in the early part of the season, Dundalk have won every league game in which they have scored.

Cork and Dundalk last met in the league in October 2009 when goals from Davin O’Neill and Fahrudin Kudozovic earned Cork City a 2-1 win at Turner’s Cross. Shaun Kelly scored for Dundalk in a game that saw three sendings off.

Unusually for the League of Ireland, neither of these sides contain any players that have previously played for the opposition.

(* As pointed out by Aidan McGuinness, Robbie Waters of Dundalk did indeed play with Cork City - Myth busted  *)

BETTING

Cork 4/7; Draw 13/5; Dundalk 5/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk look to be in a deeper hole than Cork City. Home win, 2-0.

Cork Injury News: Stephen Mulcahy (knee), Neal Horgan (knee), Kevin Murray (knee), Jamie Murphy (ankle). Doubts - John Dunleavy, Shane O’Connor, Shane Duggan, Tadhg Purcell.

Cork Suspension News: None.

Dundalk Injury News: Liam Burns, Derek Foran, Luke Danville. Doubts - Michale Rafter, Stephen McDonnell.

Dundalk Suspension News: Chris Shields.